Behaviourist Approach Flashcards
What are the 3 assumptions of a behaviourist that link to research methods?
1) the principle of learning is the main goal
2) animals can be used as research subjects as what is true for them should be true for humans
3) only measure physical behaviour through the method of lab experiments and are not concerned with processes of the mind
Why are animals used as research subjects?
It is practical as animals are easy to keep and there are no demand characteristics
What is the behaviourists approach also know as?
The learning theory
When and where did it start?
America in the 1900’s
What was the behaviourist approach inspired by?
John watson’s ideas
What are the 3 main assumptions?
Nearly all behaviour is learnt but there is evidence to show that genetics can play a role
Animals and humans learn in the same way- through the stimulus and response association e.g how a cat uses a cat flap or learning to drive
The persons mind is irrelevant- we cannot observe a persons thinking only measure physical behaviour
What is classical conditioning?
Learning by association. Occurs when 2 stimuli are repeatedly prepared together- an unconditional stimulus and a neutral stimulus. The neutral stimulus eventually produces the same response that was first produced by the unlearned stimulus
What did Pavlov notice which encouraged him to do an experiment?
Pavlov was studying how a dogs saliva helps them digest food when he noticed that dogs salivated before they were given food- they associated food with another stimulus such as a door opening
What was Pavlov’s experiment?
Pavlov gave dogs food and rang a bell. He repeated this several times. They he rang the bell but presented the dogs with no food. The dogs still salivated
What was Pavlov’s conclusion?
When dogs see food they salivate. An unconditioned stimulus gives an unconditioned response, the bell became a conditioned stimulus and salivation became a conditioned response
What is operant conditioning?
A form of learning where behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences
What did skinner look at?
How animals learn from the consequences of their actions. There were two possible consequences: positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement
What was the skinners box experiment?
Put a hungry rat in a box. It would run around until it accidentally pressed the lever which would release food. The time taken for the rat to realise that pressing the lever would realise food was recorded demonstrating the effect of positive reinforcement
What is positive reinforcement?
When something desirable is obtained in response to doing something e.g giving a sticker to a well behaved child to encourage future good behaviour
How did skinner test negative reinforcement?
The rat could prevent an electric shock when it realised that when the stimulus of the light was on, pressing the lever would result in an electric shock
What is negative reinforcement?
When something undesirable is removed in response to doing something e.g a teacher may say no homework will be given this week if a test is passed
What are the strengths of Pavlov’s and Skinner’s experiment?
Shows how we learn through conditioning
Can be applied to real life e.g. in prisons
They are lab experiments so are highly controlled and can be replicated
What are the limitations with Pavlov and Skinner’s experiment?
Ignores how we learn through observation
Generalising would be hard as research is only done on animals
Some species just learn through observation- no reinforcement was needed
Ignores influence of genetics
Can be unethical
What was the Little Albert experiment?
The participants was an 11 monthb old boy. He showed no fear of white fluffy objects e.g. rabbits and rats. The researchers conditioned a response to the objects by striking a metal bar behind albert’s head when the white rat was placed in front of him. This was repeated twice at first and then 5 times a week later
What were the results of the Little Albert experiment?
When Little Albert was shown a rat he would cry. A fear response had been conditioned, showing that abnormal behaviour can be learned.
Evaluation of the Little Albert experiment?
The experiment was very unethical- Little Albert was not protected from harm and his parents were not informed properly
Not everyone goes on to develop a fear after a negative situation
Lab study so it lacks ecological validity
Does support Pavlov’s theory
